Venetian blind structure



l, 1938. M. L. DUSKIN ET AL VENETIAN BLIND STRUCTURE Filed Jan'. 6, 1937 Patented Mar, 1, 1938 l UNITED; STATES PATENT OFFICE Application January 6,

17 Claims.

lThis invention relates to Venetian blinds. One

object of the invention is to provide a blind of this .type adapted to be made of durable moistureproof materials so as to be readily cleanable and to resist deterioration. Another obect is to provide a Venetian blind with supporting straps adapted to include ornamental color panels which may be changed at will to secure various decorag tive color schemes. -Other objects will appear as the description proceeds., The invention consists in various features and elements of construction in combination, as hereinshown and described and as indicated by the claims.

In the drawing:

l5, Figure 1 is a face view elevation of a portion of a Venetian blind constructed in accordance with this invention, the upper supporting structure being omitted, and the middle portion of the blind being broken away to condense the 2o view.

Figure 2 is a plan view of one'of the slats. Figure 3 is a detail section taken as indicated at line 3 3 on Figure 1, showing the slats in section and one pair of supporting straps in side Y elelatlon. i Figure 4 is a detail elevation looking in the di' rection of arrows, 4 4, on Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, on a larger scale, and showing connected portions of r the slats in section. Y

Figure 6 is a detail section taken as indicated at line 3 3 on Figure 5. v

Figure 7 is a detail section taken as indicated at line 'I 'I on Figure 5.

at line 8 8 on Figure 5` Figure ,-9 is a side viewof the pair of links shown in Figure 5, and taken partly in section, as indicated at line 9 9 on said Figure 5.

Figure l0 is a detail perspective view of a spring catch device. The usual construction for Venetian blinds includes ilat wooden slats and supporting tapes of fabric connected by cross-tapes on which the slats are removablylodged, and which serve for tilting them to various degrees of inclination, as controlled by the manipulation of the tapes from the supporting structure above. lThis invention undertakes to supply an improved form of slat which may be constructed of sheet metal, and to supply a more durable and cleanly form of strap which may also be made of metal. To render these straps suiilciently flexible to permit'col- C lapsing the blind in the usual manner, they are A constructed of a series of rigid links pivotally Figure a 1s a datan section taken as indicated Morris L. Duskin and Hbert L. Magill, Chicago,

1937, serial No. 119,184

(c1. A-17)v connected or hinged together so that they will fold up when the slats are lifted by supporting means independent of the straps for collapsing the blind in the usual manner. In addition, these hinged links may be iitted with removable panels 5 of colored materiaL-preferably some synthetic composition,-sc that the straps may serve to add a decorative touch to the blind, which may be varied by changing the panels of one color for those of another, when desired.

. In the drawing, Figure 1 shows a portion of a Venetian blind comprising slats, I, connected by supporting straps each consisting of links, 2 and 3. As seen in Figure 2, each slat, I, has its longitudinal margins formed into tubular beads, 4, 15 which may be interrupted by notches, 5, cutting through the beads, preferably near the ends of Jthe slat to accommodate the supporting straps or chains. The links, 3, of the straps include laterally projecting pivot studs or pintles, 6, which 20 extend into the tubular beads, 4, for pivotally connecting the slats, I, to the supporting straps.

In each supporting strap or chain the links, 3, alternate with the links, 2, so that one link of each type constitutes a pair extending between 25 consecutive slats, I, I. Each link, 2, includes side bars, 1, l, and infthe form shown these side bars I are connected permanently by a cross-bar, 8. At their ends the side bars are formed with terminals, 9, which are apertured for pivotal connec- 30 I suitable material, and is preferably made of some such synthetic material, as Catalin, Pyrolin, Bakelite, Celluloid,A or some similar compound, which may be, molded in the desired shape. The side bars, III, I0, are formed with terminals, I2, 40 adapted to interlap the terminals, 9, of the links, 2, and said terminals include laterally projecting pivots to engage the apertures of the terminals, 9. At one end of the link, 3, the pivots, I3, are only long enough to extend into the terminals, 9, of the next link, 2, but at the other end the pivots, 5, are long-enough to extend through they terminals, 9, and into the adjacent ends of the tubular bead, 4, of a slat, I. If the desired proportions of the bead, 4, are such asto render it too large to 50 iit\snugly over the pivots, 6, the end portions of the bead adjacent the notch, 5, may be formed to a smaller diameter, as seen at I4 in Figure 5.

In assembling the parts the terminal lugs, 9, 9, of one of the links, 2,wi11be positioned 1n a notch, 55

5, of a Slat, I, with the aperturesof the lugs, 9, aligned with the tubular terminals, I4, of the bead, 4. 'I'hen the twoside bars, I0, I Il, of a link, -3, will be moved into position carrying their pivots, 6, through the apertured lugs, 9, and into the l bearing tubes, I4. At the same time, at the opposite ends of the bars, I0, I0, their pivots, I3, will be tted into the terminal lugs, 9, of another link, 2. Then the filler block or panel, II, is inserted between the bars, I0, I0, to hold them apart in proper relation to the adjacent links, 2, 2.

For holding the panel, I I, in position it is provided with spring detent devices which may be constructed of spring sheet metal formed, as shown in Figure 10, each with a cylindrical body portion, I5, adapted to t into a bore, I6, formed in the edgeof the panelor filler block, I I. A bent spring arm, I1, at the end of the cylindrical body, Il,y

terminates in a rounded boss, I8, which stands normally above the edge surface of the block, II, but may be sprung inwardly into the recess which is a part of the bore, I6. Each block, II may be provided with four of these detents, and each ofv the side bars, I0, of the link, 3, is formed with recesses, I9 and 20, respectively, (see Figures 'l and 8) near its opposite ends, adapted to be engaged by the bosses, I8, of these detent devices when the ller, Il, is inserted between the bars,

I0, I0. The ller block is thus held removably in position and serves to hold the side bars, I6, in place so that their pivots, 6 and I3, shall remain engaged with the terminals, 9, of the adjacent links, 2, and with the bearing portions, I4, `of the bead, 4.

The link, 2, may also have a ller block or panel,

as seen at 2l, but since the side bars, 1,'1, arev shown permanently connected bythe cross-bar, 8, the function of the filler, 2|, is primarily decorative. It may be secured in place by forming the inner faces of the side bars, 1, with channels of V-shaped cross-section, as seen in Figure 6 at 22, and correspondingly forming the edges of the panel, 2l, so that it can be slidably inserted'between the bars, 1, from the open end of the link before the next link, 3, is assembled therewith.

A strap or chain made up of links, 2 and 3, .as` just described, and connected at intervals to the'-v slats, I, takes the place of the usual fabric straps-f or tapes employed in Venetian blind structuresfor connecting the consecutive slats and Asupporting them in the extended position of the blind. For collapsing the blindv to draw it clear of the window there is included a bottom bar, 23, which may be simply the bottom slats of the series', suspended by cords or wires, 24, which pass through suitable apertures, 25, 'in each of the slats, and which are preferably positioned so as to register with the connecting straps or chains composed of links, 2 and 3, so as to be concealed from view. Any suitable winding or operating gear, mounted at the top of the window and not shown herein, serves to draw the cords, 24, upward, thus elevating the bottom member, which picks up the slats, I, as it risesand collects them in a closely piled formation, as seen inthe lower portion of the view in Figure 1, and also in Figure 3. To permit this close pilingof the slats, I, the links,'2 and 3, connecting each pair of adjacent slats, I,

must fold upon each other, as seen in Figure 3. To insure that they will fold automatically and ina denite direction, the interlapping terminalsf 9, at the pivots, I3, are formed with at surfaces, 26, which abut corresponding flat surfaces, 21, on theside bars, IIJ, so as to prevent the unfolding ofadjacent links, 2 and3, into strictaligntal position, as seen in Figure 3.

ment, and to limit them to the angular relation seen in Figures 3 and 9. Thus, when the links are caused to fold by the lifting of the slats, I, the initial angle between links, 2 and 3, will merely be reduced, causing the pivots, I3, to move outward-that is, away from the' beaded edges of the slats, I, until the links, 2 and 3, can collapse upon each other inA substantially horizon- The terminals, 9 and I2, at which links, 2 and 3, are joined on the pivots, I3, are oiset with respect to the side bars, 1 and I0, so that the faces of these bars, which will meet in the folded position, lie in planes extending through the axis of the pivot, I3,

and will' thus swing into a common plane when the straps or chains at opposite sides of the blinds are arranged to fold oppositely so that the links, 2 and 3, in collapsed position are disposed outside the vertical planes between which the the bars are folded. As indicated in Figure 3,

ing these features, the curved outlines of the f terminall lugs Vor ears, 9 and I2, of the links may be ofthe same diameter as the beads, 4, and will be accurately aligned therewith; and the ller blocks, II, will be formed at their ends with cylindrically curved portions, 28 and 29, also of the same diameter as the beads, 4, and axially aligned therewith. Thus the horizontal lines defined by the beads, 4, of the slats, will be carried across the vertically extending straps or chains without substantial interruption, and, if desired, the parts, 4 and II, may be similarly colored s0 as to give the eiect of continuous horizontal stripes in the structure.

vIt'may be understood that when the slats, I, are formed of sheet -metal they may be of any desired non-corrosive composition, or may be given a. non-corrosive finish as by electro-plating or by means of a suitable enamel, and that the metallicvlink structures, 2 and 3, may also be of such composition or nish as to avoid corrosion or rust. The filler blocks, II and 2|, if made of any of the,materials suggested, will be moistureproof, and practically impervious to dust, so that they ycan be readily cleaned when required.-v Ordinary dusting and occasional treatmentl ,with a damp cloth will thus keep `the blind indefinitely in4 any attractive and cleanly condition.' f

The method of construction permits of readily disassembling the parts for substituting ller blocks, II and 2l, of va different color, if desired, or for changing the slats, I, to those of a different finish, if occasion arises, for altering the color scheme. Asindicated in Figures 2 and 3, `the slats may bereinforced adjacent the notches, 5,- if desired,byfcrming upwardly projecting ribs, 30, in theirat surfaces to insure perfect alignment of the end portions of the beads, 4, with the intermediate parts.v

While there is shownand described herein certain specific structure yembodying the invention, it will bemanifest to those. skilled in the art that various modifications and re-arrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the' limiting the relative movement of adjacent links topermit their folding or collapse in one direction only, the joints of said separate straps at opposite edges of the slats being adapted to collapse in opposite directions.

3. In a Venetian blind structure as defined in claim 1, said links including terminal portions of a contour axially aligned with the tubular beads of the slats and of the same shape so as to appear as substantially continuous therewith.

4. In a Venetian blind structure as deilned in claim 1, the links of said straps each comprising a pair of side bars and an interposed filler, the ends of said side bars and of said iillers occupying the notches of the slatsl being co-axial with vthe tubular beads of the slats and of the same shape in cross-section.

5. In a Venetian blind structure, a series o f slats, and supporting straps each composed of a series ofrigid open links hingedly connected, means connecting said slats to the straps, and ornamental ller panels fitted removably in the openings of the links to produce a decorative eii'ect. p

6. Astrap for a Venetian blind comprising a series of links hingedly connected end to end, each link comprising a pair of vside bars spaced apart `with a filler blocky secured between them, said bars having terminal portions formed for the pivotal inter-connection of adjacentv links with the terminals of one link disposed between the terminals of the next link whereby the ller block of the rst mentioned link servesto main* tain the pivotal connection of said terminals.

7. A strap for a Venetian blind comprising a series of links hingedly connected end to end, each link comprising a pair of side bars spaced apart with a ller block secured between them, said bars'having terminal portions lsome of which are apertured and others of which are provided with pivots to engage such apertures, the filler blocks of alternate links serving to maintain such pivotal engagement.

8. A strap for a Venetian blind comprising a series of links hingedly connected end to end, each link comprising a pair of side bars spaced apart with a ller removably secured between them, the side b rs of alternate links being peri manently joined by a cross-bar, and having'terv minals apertured for connection with the side pivots engaging the apertured terminals of the said alternate links. g

series of links hingedly connected end to end,

9. A strap for a Venetian blind comprising a each link comprising a pair of side bars spaced apart with a rlller removably secured between them, the side bars of alternate links being permanently `joined by a cross-bar. and having terminals apertured for connection oi' the side bars with intermediate links, each intermediate link consisting of side bars with outwardly projecting pivot studsvat their terminals whereby the filler serves to hold said bars apart with their pivots engaging the apertured terminals of the said alternate links, the pivot studs at one end of each of said intermediate links extending through and laterally beyond the terminals of the connected link for engaging a slat of the blind. i

' 10. In a Venetian blind structure, a series of slats composed of sheet metal and each having its longitudinal margins shaped to form tubular beads, each slat having notches cut through saidj beads and supporting straps accommodated in said notches, each strap-being composed of rigid links hingedly connected end to end, and each alternate link comprising a pair of side bars spaced apart with a ller removably secured between them, the other links including apertured terminals adapted to lap the ends of said side bars, and the side bars having outwardly projecting pivot studs extending through the apertures of said terminals and into the tubular beads adjacent the notches of the slats.

11. In the construction dened in claim 6, spring detents disposed for removably securing said i'lller blocks in. place between the -side bars of the links.

12. In the construction defined in claim 6, the opposing faces of the side bars having recesses and the iiller blocks being provided with spring detents adapted to engage said recesses when the filler blocks are positioned between the side bars.

13. In a Venetian blind structure, a series oi` hinge joints of each strap' and directly engaging in the open ends of the tubular bead of a slat 'at opposite sides of the notch therein.

14. In ,a Venetian blind structure, a series of .slats each formed withmarginal beads notched to accommodate lsupporting straps, and straps each composed of a series of rigid links hingedly connected, together with p'ivot means each coaxial wlth a hinge connection of the links and projecting laterally into direct pivotal engagement`wlth a-longitudinal bead of the slat at oppo l connected, together with pivot means each coaxial with.a hinge connection of the links'and projecting laterally into direct pivotal engagement with a longitudinal bead of the slat at opposite sidesv of the notch therein, each pair of adjacent slats being connected by two links of a strap, and the hinge connecting the two links including features which limit the relative movement of the links and permit their folding for collapse in one direction only so as'to carry said links and their connecting hinge outwardly away from the vertical plane of the blind.

16. In a Venetian blind structure, a series of slats notched at their edges to accommodate supporting straps,and straps each composed of a series of rigid links hingedly connected, with pivotal means at each alternate hinge` connection of the strap projecting laterally into pivotal engagement with a slat at opposite sides of the notch therein.

17. In a Venetian blind structure, a series of slats leach composed of sheet material with a longitudinal margin shaped to form a tubular bead, said margin being notched to accommodate a supporting strap, and a strap composed of a series of rigid links hingedly connected, with pivot means at each alternate hinge connection projecting laterally into the tubular bead of a slat at opposite sides of the notch for directly connecting the slat to the strap.

MORRIS L. DUSKIN. HERBERT L. MAGILL. 

